The Beginning of a New Decade!

I confess that I don’t really understand the ‘terrible’ implications some people seem to feel turning 30 has (or 40, or 50, or any milestone age, for that matter!). I feel exactlythe same today at 30 as I did yesterday at 29, and the number itself harbours absolutely no negative feelings in me whatsoever. I actually much prefer the even number to the odd, ugly number of 29 (though 28 – my ‘golden’ year – was my favorite :P). Anyway, mostly I just think it’s pretty cool to be entering a whole new decade of my life, and I’m really looking forward to what it is going to bring. I can’t imagine anything but new and exciting times to come!

In order to fully celebrate making it successfully into my thirties, I’ve decided to do compile a list of 30 things I’d like to do this year, starting today till my birthday next year. I’m sure many of you aren’t surprized, since I do so love a good challenge and an opportunity to make yet another list! :P

The list is comprised to items of varying nature – some are quite grand events and goals I hope to endeavor upon (run a full marathon; buy a piece of designer jewelry or a pair of designer shoes; participate in a protest; travel to New Zealand – which has been on my ‘bucket list’ for ages and is the only thing that’s officially set in motion!), while others are much more moderate in nature but things I’ve always wanted to do nonetheless (learn how to play poker; read 12 classic novels; have a technology-free weekend; go to a new restaurant every month). I divided them into categories – 10 for life-based goals (like learning how to shoot a gun *just because, not for any scary reason!*), 5 for Halifax-themed (go on the local Ghost Walk tour), 5 for travel (take a spur of the moment flight somewhere!), 5 for ‘fabulous’ things (like attending a real fashion show), and of course – 5 for beauty-related items!! Which I am now going to detail below:

1) Learn 3 new hairstyles

My curly mop of hair is fun, to be sure, but there’s really not a whole lot I can do with it – or at least that I’ve taken the time to learn, anyway! So this year, I vow to stop doing the same old (which just means wearing it down as is) and trying out new ways to work with it to have some fun with it! I’ll say it right now: I am welcomingsuggestions!!!!

I’m particularly loving this!

2) Attend Cosmoprof or IMATS

I’m fairly certain attending one of these events would be like my own private Utopia, so attend I must :) It’ll depend on the timing and location to determine which I’ll go to (and I’m not even sure if a layperson can go to Cosmoprof?), but I probably should start saving my pennies now, eh?

3) Go makeup-less for a week

Gotta throw in a good challenge of course! Even though I tend to not want to stop wearing makeup for the mere fact that that means I’m not using it up faster, I think going makeup-less for a week will be a wonderful way to make sure I remember thatit’s just makeupand that as fun as it is, it’s not the be-all end-all. I don’t think this is going to be that hard as in, being uncomfortable without it per se, but obviously makeup plays a huge part in my life, and I think going without for a period of time will strengthen my character. And when I say without, I mean nothing. Nada. Not even concealer for my racoon eyes. Who am I kidding? It’s gonna be a scary week. But also majorly liberating!

4) Try 12 new-to-me beauty brands

I’ve already got my list drawn up for the brands I’d love to try! I’ve made some headway this past year with checking out Le Metier de Beaute, and Burberry (oh yes I did! Keep reading for the scoop :)), but there are still a handful which I’d love to try and am going to make a point to do so. I think this year will be a good one for restraint on the number of products I pick up, and more of a focus on whatI’m getting instead. I’m pretty stoked for it!

5) One Month Beauty Challenge

I have to explain this one because it’s a little convoluted, as my schemes usually are :P What I want to do is this: Choose 10 makeup items only (this includes staples like foundation or mascara) and then allow myself to wear only those 10 items for the entire month. Of course I will have to be extremely selective and make sure I have the best products to allow me to create a variety of looks. I have a vague idea of what I’ll use; when the time comes I’ll make the final decision. I’m tempted to cheat and do this while I’m traveling for five weeks in New Zealand – because I’ll be bringing VERY minimal makeup along with me then – but I think I’ll do this as a separate challenge for my day-to-day life. I don’t know the month yet, but of course when I decide I’ll be posting all the details here!

So that’s what you can expect to see at Beauty Obsessed over the next year! I’m pretty excited for all of the goals I have to work toward, beauty or otherwise. I love having things to look forward to, and I like getting a fire under my butt to get things done. No time like the present!

Now, I’m not going to leave you with just a bunch of my ramblings today, of all days! I’ve got a little bit of photo porn to show you from my Burberry haul first – of course full reviews will be forthcoming over the next little while!

Oh yea, I forgot to mention – these photos were taken with my BRAND NEW CAMERA!!!!!! My delightful boyfriend gave it to me for my birthday gift (along with planning a surprize super-fun photo scavenger hunt/pig roast/party for my celebrations this past weekend!). Best gift ever! I can’t get over how much better my photos are and how much less work I have to put in to get a good result! Old camera is getting the bootlol. I hope you’ll enjoy the much better quality photos moving forward! :D

Now I’m off to relax and enjoy my day (going for a massage later – heaven!), I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!!!

The Burberry stuff looks amazing, so excited for you! And your list sounds great. I was just thinking that I wanted to do a 30 before 30 thing…but I have several years so I want to fill it with lofty things! Haha. I’m not sure. I’ll have to think about it.

Thank you, Larie!!! It was a great birthday, and I honestly mean it when I say that I harbour no strange feelings toward being 30. New ages means a new year and change, which I LOVE!

I certainly think spending your time on lofty things is great, at any time! Some of my items on the full list are totally like that – mainly I wanted to list things I always wanted to do, how big or small, and finally DO them – not wait ‘until-until-until’. Gonna be a good year :D

Phew! I confess that I think I held my breath through this entire post! Exciting! Exciting!

Before I forget, and even though I already tweeted you earlier today, HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY, TOYA!!! Love you oodles & oodles and wish you great health and many fabulous adventures!

I’m so totally not surprised that you made a list; I would expect nothing less from you by now! :) Seriously though, I have to agree with you on the whole age-number-thing; I remember thinking similarly – I hated “29” cause it felt like I was clinging to my 20’s, which made it sound so pathetic, lol! As I now approach the very end of my 40’s, I’m looking forward to what the next decade will bring and continuing to learn & grow – one never really stops doing, that, am I right?!

You personal goals sound interesting and fun and so diverse; as I’m *ahem* somewhat older than you, I’ve already attained some of the things you mentioned and have even learned how to shoot a gun AND a rifle (I’m better with a rifle, for some bizarre reason, but I intend to get more proficient with a handgun now) and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT! And yes, it was at a shooting range and just for fun–so I get what you meant! You’ll have a blast!

Travelling for weeks on end can be a challenge, especially in a country where you’re not sure if you’ll have access to some things you’ll be sure to run out of (try being stranded on a Greek island and no conditioner cause the supply ferry forgot the supplies at another port –oy!); as far as makeup goes, why not do what I did and pack one palette (either something like UD Naked 1 or 2, or a MAC version you fill yourself) with your favourite neutrals – this way you’ll be sure to have a variety available.

Don’t worry about going makeup-less; you’re a natural beauty! I take every chance I can get to give my skin/face a break (I’ve definitely scared the delivery guy a few times as a result, lol!)

About Cosmoprof – if I’m not mistaken, I do believe you need to be invited to attend, but don’t quote me on that. I’ve heard that it can be rather overwhelming, but that could be just for the first time — after that, you’ll probably know what to expect and be better organized (especially YOU!)

Finally, I’m so envious of your beautiful Burberry haul (I’ve yet to get anything from the line!) but I’m so, so, so happy for you as well — you totally deserve these lovelies and I can’t wait to read your posts!

LOL I love that you take the time to ramble, Eugenia (goodness knowsi’m one to talk!) and its so nice that you share stories about yourself too, I get to know more about you :)

Thank you so much for the birthday wishes, my dear! I can’t wait to take my 30’s on full-force, its going to be great! I’m pleased to hear you’ve also done some similar things, and have a similar mindset to aging – I think its that mindset that keeps us young (feeling AND looking!).

I’m not even sure I’ll bring that much makeup to NZ; I’m thinking more of one shadow and two liners – yikes! I just want to totally go bare bones on this trip, and I’m excited!

Definitely keep your eyes open for the Burberry posts, I can’t wait to share!!!! :)
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HOLD ON, WOMAN – don’t ditch the old camera until you take a picture of the NEW one with it! LOL Don’t you know what we want to see everything???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a year it’s going to be! I love the bucket list and can’t wait to see all the 30 things you came up with. This post is perking me up and inspiring me to think along similar line of thought: planning things to look forward to.

Enjoy those Burberry goodies! I’d be so afraid of getting fingerprints all over them. Weirdly enough, I want to see the lipsticks first. :)

Ah crap, I didn’t even think to take a photo of the old one, damn! But fear not, its just back with my mom so that’s easy enough to remedy, Liz! :)

Thanks for the birthday wishes! I’m glad this post gave you a lil boost – I honestly need constant things to look forward to or else I get really bummed (hence ny new idea to have two trips planned at all times lol). I think if you put your mind to it, there’s lots of things to work toward – even if they’re kind of silly like some of mine.

This week has been absolutely mad-busy but I want to get a post up on the Burberry stuff really soon – I’ll start with the lippies just for you :)

I can’t wait to see more about the Burberry products––they look so gorge :) And your hair is amazing! You look like a forest nymph. A week without any makeup is really gutsy, and I look forward to hearing all about it when the time comes :)

Oops, I guess I should’ve clarified that that pic is not of me, but of a cute hairstyle I like!! Haha my bad! My hair is similar but with tighter curls, boo.

Thanks for the good wishes, it was a pretty good day!! I’ll have to sit down and really have some fun with the Burberry stuff soon, I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a chance – and I want to do them justice.

I’m really stoked for the no-makeup week, I think its going to be scary and super-liberating at the same time. Bring it on! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Wow, I don’t know where to start. Ok, your hair is gorgeous! The Burberry!!! The camera!!! So much excitement. I hope your day was wonderful and I can’t wait to see those upcoming posts!

Happy Belated Birthday Toya!! Love your list!
I can hardly wait for you to try out all that Burberry. It’s my favourite line for sure. I could just live off of their cosmetics. That Fresh Luminous Base is HG stuff for me. And that Russet blush gives you instant super model cheekbones!!

Haha EXCELLENT :D I wore all the Burberry I got today and I must say, I’m lookin’ mighty fine lol. Once the birthday dust settles I’ll be posting on the awesomeness of it all ASAP!
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